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Young Guns: Defender Craig Eastmond

"I have five older brothers, two of whom signed as
professionals," he says. "My oldest brother Darren was
with Wimbledon and another of my brothers, Gavin was with Millwall.
Unfortunately their careers in football didn't continue for
very long, but they are both now doing well as leisure centre
managers. The fact that they can look back and see where they could
have done things differently is a help to me because they are there
to talk to and offer me guidance when I need it," he explains.
"The main thing they try to instil in me is to keep focused. I
have to block out any distractions to try and give my
best."

The youngster also draws inspiration from a female member of his
family, his mum Amanda: "My mum has been everywhere with me
since I started playing club football when I was eight. I was with
Millwall first, which was closer to our home in Battersea," he
recalls. "But I then joined Arsenal when I was eleven. She
would make the journey on the train with me three nights a week to
Hale End in Chingford and then wait for me and bring me home on the
train again. A big part of me feels that I have to give myself
every chance of becoming a professional because of what she did and
still does for me."

Coming from a big family was crucial in Craig's formative
football years: "I was the youngest boy, but I used to play
football with all my brothers and their friends and I think that
helped me a lot and it toughened me up mentally and physically. My
brothers also used to coach me from a very young age too which I
believe gave me a head start."

Craig's learning curve has been steady, but feels it has
been even steeper since joining the Academy: "I can honestly
look back and say that I am improving every week. I am a much
better player now than I was when we joined in the summer. The
facilities and coaching are the best and I am noticing the benefits
of the technical work we do."

Craig is not alone, he is part of an Under-18s side that remains
unbeaten, having won seven of eight games played: "We are at
the best club there is and we have been together for so many years
that we know how we all play and have a great spirit and
togetherness. "I have to admit that I was surprised by some of
the results," he reveals. "Leicester beat the Under-18s
at the end of last season and they won the Academy trophy. We were
all up for a tough game, but we won 5-0. I think we were so focused
and determined that we started so quickly and got into our passing
game from the opening whistle that blew Leicester away. I think
that our attitude was key in that game. I think we have the
potential to win everything this year, but we are not getting
carried away. We are not taking any game for granted and that's
the way we have to be to succeed now and in the future."

Craig played for the Reserves when he was a schoolboy and has
featured already this year, surprisingly in midfield: "I play
rightback for the Under-18s and have played in the centre of
midfield for the Reserves. I used to play in the centre all the
time, but I was switched to right-back last season. I have got used
to the role but am developing my understanding all the time. I
think that although there is a lot of running up and down the
flanks, in the centre you have to be physically stronger with
higher stamina levels because you have to keep moving and
concentrating all the time. To be honest," says the 16
year-old, "they are very different, but I enjoy both roles.
The main thing is that I am playing."."

By Lambros Lambrou

From the Arsenal Matchday Programme

Copyright 2016 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source

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